Now, we've got the chance to try it his theory that raising your metabolic rate can aid weight loss by heading outside to build snowmen, make snow angels and chuck snowballs. Hurrah!

According to Fulton, a regular dose of heat-loss encourages your body to burn fat. He even suggested taking a room-temperature bath (20 degrees celsius) each morning.

"If you sit in that water, you'll lose heat 25 times faster than if you were standing the same room temperature. That’s good because it forces your body to increase its metabolic rate and burn fat," Fulton told HuffPost UK Lifestyle.

But even if you're not willing to brave a cold bath, experts do agree that a lower ambient temperature, which can be achieved by simply turning the heating down a couple of notches, could encourage your body to become more active and start using up those fat reserves.

Time magazine's Dr. Nancy Snyderman says that your metabolism revs up to keep your body warm in cold temperatures, which may mean marginally more calorie expenditure each day.

So what are you waiting for? Turn your thermostat down and start planning your snowman. Here's some inspiration from the weekend.

"This is a picture of my 60 year old dad and his polar bear made from snow. Made entirely from snow." - Annabelle Wright from Stoke

"Here's a picture of what my flat mate and I made (aged 32 and 31!) in Battersea Park yesterday. Neither of us are artists, but might have got carried away trying to make the best snowman in the park!" - Rikki Mistry

"This is a snowman of Darth Vader that me and my girlfriend made." - Matt King and Alice Granger, Dudley, West Midlands

"Snowman and his Snowdog." - Charlotte Gale

"My killer snowman. Zombie snowman?" - Josh Davoll

(Credit: Twitter/@nomoredisco)

(Courtesy of Stuart Davidson)

(Courtesy of Stuart Davidson)

(Credit: Twitter/@pippashawley)

"This is why living in Kilburn is ace - a snow totoro! Taken last night at the end of my mate's road." - Jody Thompson. (Credit: Mat Morrisroe)